Web Exploration: Exploring Our World of Shapes

Introduction: Paintings by Vincent Van Gogh

Guiding Questions:

1. What two-dimensional geometric shapes are good for making strong structures?
2. What three-dimensional geometric shapes are good for making strong structures?

Begin Your Exploration from the following websites:
Forces and Shapes (Virtual manipulatives)

• Make sure you check out the tabs for Forces and Shapes.
• To return to the WebQuest, click on the back arrow - upper left corner of your screen.

Arches (Video)

• See the effect of elephants (load) on a structure.
• To return to the WebQuest, click on the back arrow - upper left corner of your screen.

Magnetic construction (Text/Activity)

• Make sure you look at the photographs. What shapes did the engineers use for these structures?
• Go to the Subheading "Strengthening Squares." Use the supplies at your station to construct different shapes.
• What did you discover about the shapes you constructed?
• Skip the paper construction of shapes. Page down to "Three Dimensional Shapes."
• To return to the WebQuest, click on the back arrow - upper left corner of your screen.

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Extended Learning: (Explore as time or interest permits.)

• Pantheon Dome
• Newspaper Chairs
• Gumdrop activity
• Application of shapes

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Engineering: Build a paper tower

• 15 minutes
• Each team needs to construct a paper tower at least 21 cm in height.
• Each team will receive 30 cm of tape and 5 index cards.
• The tower must be free standing.
• The tower that withstands the most weight, wins.

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Debriefing: All four groups together
Wrap up